Overview
Creative Associates International is a dynamic, global development company that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions, and stabilization. Based in Chevy Chase, MD (metro Washington, D.C. area), Creative has programs in more than 30 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Founded in 1977, Creative is a minority-owned, mission-driven organization that has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.
We value diversity — in backgrounds and in experiences. We are deliberate and self-reflective about the kind of team and culture that we are building, seeking staff that are not only strong in their own aptitudes but care deeply about supporting each other’s growth. Our success depends on all our employees’ points of view, and the principle that inclusion is everyone’s responsibility.
Position Summary:
Creative seeks a Director of Business Development (BD) and Strategy to work under CIT senior leadership supervision, performing complex activities across various technical areas to ensure proposal quality and alignment with corporate growth strategy. Work involves providing in-depth input into division and company-wide growth strategies; leading the CIT BD team; and assisting the Vice President in adjusting the division strategy as needed to respond to the forward market. Serve as technical lead writer (TLW) and mentor other CIT TLWs on strategic bid decision-making and high-quality technical writing. Lead development and oversight of CIT capture and live proposal budgeting and productive utilization, working closely with the Practice Area Directors (PADs) and the Director of Finance and Operations. Undertake market and/or field research to ensure we use knowledge for business development and innovation that improves CIT’s win rate. Complete detailed new business win/loss and data analyses and reports, with recommendations for continual improvement. Engage across the industry to understand trends, innovations, and relationships that drive CIT partnerships. Support a learning culture within the division by taking lessons harvested from the field to enrich CIT’s business and proposal strategy. Collaborate with other divisions and support offices within the company, to complete tasks and to promote cross-technical exchange and collaboration. As a lead on the HQ team, the Director of BD and Strategy, CIT is responsible for establishing a network of partners and technical experts to support teaming strategies, key personnel recruitment, and overall bid quality. The Director travels internationally to perform many of the responsibilities of the role.
Reporting & Supervision:
The Director of BD and Strategy, CIT reports to the Vice President in the CIT division and may supervise Directors, Managers, and/or Associates.
Responsibilities
- Take a lead role in consistently shaping division strategy to meet the forward market, based on technical innovations and client trends;
- Leads CIT’s Business Development process, liaising with other company stakeholders (e.g., BD leadership, Data Analytics, regional BD representatives, BD Directors in other program divisions, etc.) and develops regular market analytics for CIT senior leadership on new business opportunities, suggested strategies, and proposed positioning and capture activities.
- Provides analysis on major trends in the marketplace, attending client workshops and events, and reading client reports and data to ensure relevance of CIT’s bidding strategy;
- Supports learning and adaptation, with PADs and Senior Technical Advisors (STAs), by ensuring that project lessons and technical innovations enrich the division strategy and improve bid design and quality and are used externally to best position Creative for growth.
- Work with PADs and proposal coaches to ensure proper proposal resourcing and high-quality proposal teams. Regularly meet with PADs to review capture and overall proposal progress, identifying and helping them address challenges;
- Drive strategic bid decision-making and overall division business development processes in line with division strategy and budget. Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual analysis of CIT market and division performance per sub-technical area, geographic focus, and client. Ensure CIT tracker and CRMS are up to date and in sync;
- Ensure top-quality, innovative bid design and development, in close collaboration with division VP, PADs, and BDD;
- Strengthen the division’s internal capacity for business development, including training for coaches and Technical Lead Writers (TLWs), collating and expanding institutional knowledge and resources on technical design, and develop a cadre of technical BD assets in the division (e.g., developing templates for standard proposal sections).
- Optimize a one team approach through effective coordination, communication, and holding others accountable for CIT bid quality, including proposal managers, recruiters, pricers, editors, contract representatives, global operations representatives;
- Oversee the systematic application of Creative and industry good practices in business development, including standardized BD processes, gates, and tools. Participate in proposal reviews, after-action debriefs, and color teams, identifying improvement opportunities for future proposals.
- Develops and maintains strong working relationships with partner and/or donor organizations including USAID office, bureaus, and missions;
- Establish a network of partners, technical experts, and expand the division’s external roster of consultants to support teaming strategies, key personnel recruitment, and actively contribute to writing successful proposals;
- Manage and ensure BD targets are met while monitoring capture and live BD budgets, productive utilization, and win rates, in close collaboration with PADs. Supervise the management of CIT BD budgets and oversee the analysis and regular reporting of this data by the division Director of Finance and Operations so resources are optimized.
- Serve as TLW, Coach, and/or contributing writer on bids as needed.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field and fifteen years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree and twelve years of relevant experience;
- Experience serving in a technical and/or business development advisory and leadership role.
- Experience in working with project management, technical advisors, and COPs and DCOPs in the implementation of technical programs to achieve project objectives;
- Experience in establishing networks, partnerships, and relationships with technical experts to support teaming strategies and key personnel recruitment;
- Expertise in the development of BD strategies for USAID, Department of State and/or other donor programs including articulating theories of change, developing results frameworks, and constructing program strategy and activities;
- Demonstrated ability to meet technical and business results, including quality proposals and win rates, working across diverse country and program contexts.
- Considerable skill and experience in U.S. government donor regulations;
- Experience in interacting with client representatives and other project stakeholders;
- Strong writing and editing skills; excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills;
- Ability to work well in a team environment as well as independently;
- Ability to multi-task under tight deadlines; ability to travel internationally on short notice; and
- Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project, etc.).
Desired Skills and Qualifications
- Second language, such as French, Spanish, or Arabic.
- Experience with other USG agencies and donors.
EEOC Statement: Creative is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics. Military veterans, Ameri-Corps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.
Accessibility Notice: If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Ireneb@creativedc.com. Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision: Creative will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation. #LI-IB1
Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
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